this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at eight: celebrations in dublin, but now the focus shifts to the north and abortion laws that are far more restrictive than the rest of the uk. our policy is the same from the north of ireland right through the bottom of ireland. we want to see the same policy. we need to show care and compassion towards women. i think it is a popular opinion throughout northern ireland that we should not have a liberalised abortion regime. no end to the political deadlock on italy as the man designated as the country's prime minister gives up his bid to form a government. the us sends a delegation to north korea aimed at reinstating a possible summit between the countries‘ leaders. organisers cancel the mutiny festival in portsmouth after two people die at the event. also ahead: chris froome makes cycling history in italy. he becomes the first brit to win the giro d'italia after a final race through the streets of rome.

and cash or credit? london launches a contactless payment scheme for buskers, but will it catch on? good evening and welcome to bbc news. there have been calls for reform of northern ireland's strict anti—abortion laws following the referendum in the irish republic which overwhelmingly backed change there. sinn fein said a way now had to be found to deliver rights to women in the north. however, the democratic unionist party said northern ireland should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand. our ireland correspondent, emma vardy, reports. this was a seismic moment, marking a shift away

from the country's once strict conservative beliefs. two thirds of irish voters backed repealing the ban on abortion and the reverberations of the decision are felt elsewhere. this has very much been a national debate, people all over the island have been talking about the need to support women and our policy is the same from the north through to the bottom of ireland, we need to show care and compassion towards women. ice cream! in belfast today, a sense that the debate moves here. northern ireland remains the only part of the uk where abortion is illegal unless it is a risk to the life of the woman. i would love to see a referendum appear. again, it probably will never happen. but hopefully it will start a conversation going. i would love to see it appear. could it happen?

not with our government! northern ireland's devolved government collapsed 16 months ago and the largest party here does not want restrictions on abortion to change. the dup leader arlene foster has said her party will keep its pro—life position and that friday's referendum in the site will have no impact on the law up here. i think there is a lot of people who would never vote for the dup who would share my analysis of life and when life begins and the need to protect life. i think it is a popular opinion throughout northern ireland that we should not have a liberalised abortion regime and we should not have the 1967 abortion act here. as i say, in the absence of a devolved assembly, there is no possibility for discussion on those issues. the priority is to restore devolution, say number 10, so northern ireland politicians can decide.

but a number of mps, including some within the tory ranks, believe westminster should pass more illiberal legislation for northern ireland. compassion does not equal abortion, so now that the eyes are turning to belfast and westminster, we would say that, because both lives matter, there is a better story and we would ask our politicians to respect democracy and devolution, to give people a chance to decide what goes forward in northern ireland and do not impose anything on us. but the result in the south means is growing political pressure for those who seek northern ireland drastically out of step. our political correspondent eleanor garnier gave me more details about the reaction from westminster to the referendum result and its possible impact on northern ireland. downing street's view is that this

is an issue for northern ireland in northern ireland only. they say they are focusing on getting the stormont executive up and running again and wa nt executive up and running again and want to avoid any oppression of direct rule. the feeling is this is not time the politician said to be dictating policy there, but what is clear is that there are many westminster m ps clear is that there are many westminster mps who believe passionately that women in northern ireland should have the same rights and choices as women in the rest of the uk and i think there is support for that among labour and liberal democrats mps and significantly among conservative mps, and some senior server to the camp mps as well. —— senior conservative mps. well, my view is that it's not right that women in northern ireland can't be able to access the same rights as women in the rest of the united kingdom. and if an amendment is allowed by the speaker, during the domestic violence bill that has come to parliament that put that right, i will be supporting it.

i think there would be a majority in the house of commons to support all of this if there were going to be a vote on it, and we are not sure if or when that vote might take place. but until then, i think the pressure will continue to increase on theresa may, who is in, it has to be said, an extremely tricky situation because, remember, she relies on her alliance with the socially conservative dup for her parliamentary majority here. she needs them to get the tricky legislation through, like all that brexit legislation, and what is clear tonight is the dup has said they do not want in any circumstance the abortion laws in northern ireland to be liberalised in any way, and they say this is an issue for northern ireland and we will not be bullied into making our minds up, we will not be bullied into changing our minds. so it leads to theresa may

in the tricky bind on the one hand that is supporting a slowing of change in northern ireland from mps here but equally there is the dup whose support she relies on so much. and we'll find out how this story and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30pm and 11:30pm this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are rob merrick, who's the deputy political editor at the independent, and the author and broadcaster natalie haynes. in the past hour, italy's prime minister—designate has given up his bid to put together a government. he'd been chosen by two populist parties to try to end nearly three months of political deadlock. the country has been without a government since elections in early march. there are reports the country's president vetoed giuseppe conte's choice of economy minister. here's what giuseppe conte said a little earlier. translation: as you already know, i

have declined the mandate i have been given to form a government of change. i would like to thank the president for giving me this opportunity and i thank the leaders of the two parties. the putting my name forward. i can assure you i had the greatest effort and paid the greatest attention in fulfilling this duty. i can assure you i have done it in an atmosphere of full cooperation with leaders of both parties which appointed me. talks between us and north korean officials about a possible summit are being continued close to the korean border. this is despite president trump three days ago publicly cancelling a planned meeting between himself and kim jong—un due to take place in singapore in two weeks' time. let's speak to our washington correspondent, chris buckler. we understand their efforts continue

on both sides. what more can you tell us? after that abrupt cancellation a matter of days ago, us officials are doing all they can to salvage that proposed summit and they are now in north korea and are discussing with counterparts. the delegation has been led with north korea to have a conversation about exactly what they can achieve in these potential summit is going ahead, whenever donald trump may finally it kim jong—un. ahead, whenever donald trump may finally it kimjong—un. you get a sense that, at the moment, they want to talk about exactly what denuclearisation would be, it is a term that has been used by both sides but it is not clear that they agree on what exactly it means. certainly the example when we had that conversation yesterday between the leaders of north and south korea, the president said he believed kim jong—un was committed to the dean militarisation of the korean peninsula but he did not say exactly what that meant and as far

as america is concerned it means north korea giving up its weapons. north korea giving up its weapons. north korea giving up its weapons. north korea will certainly want something in return for that. our correspondent in seoul, laura bicker, looks at the recent thawing of relations between north and south korea. embracing for a second time. the two korean leaders looked much more like new friends instead of decades—old enemies. the meeting was called by kim jong—un, who seems eager to salvage his summit with president trump. translation: kim jong-un reaffirms his strong will for denuclearising the korean peninsula. that's what the white house wants to hear. and they have sent a team of officials to the northern side of the demilitarised border for talks about the summit. so is it all back on? we're looking at june 12th in singapore. that hasn't changed. and it's moving along pretty well.

back at the border, tourists from the south come to catch a glimpse of a land they have never known. it often feels like the razor wire and landmines don't exist. and when their leaders meet so easily, at such short notice, it makes them feel that one day that might be possible. each one of these ribbons tied to the barbed wire fence represents a hope for peace. and if they were looking for signs that this time might be different, they got it. kim jong—un is showing that he's willing to engage on a level that his father and his grandfather never were. fundamentally, one problem remains. is he willing to give away his nuclear weapons? people here are eagerfor the us and north korea to at least try, as this is the closest they've come to peace in decades. joining me now via webcam from washington is mark fitzpatrick,

director of the non—proliferation program at the international institute for strategic studies. first off, we have got two very similar people. is this a good idea? that they should meet, sit down and discuss so many serious subjects? diplomacy is a good idea and it is good that the president's sit down and talk. one of the reasons that diplomacy has not worked well in the pastis diplomacy has not worked well in the past is that he has not been tried a high enough level. the problem is they go right to the high level without owning out any of the differences are low—level and there are still huge differences. it would've been better to wait a bit and take some time to negotiate at a lower level and then have the high—level meeting. trump seems

determined to go ahead with a high level before things are in place. determined to go ahead with a high level before things are in placem was mrtrump level before things are in placem was mr trump the right person to sit down with mr kim? perhaps the secretary of state should be doing the negotiating because mr trump's way of dealing with things can be abrasive. trump's way of dealing with things can be abrasive, he can change his mind quickly, he can overrule on his staff, denigrate staff. the i would like to suggest that trump needs to do this and that is mr pompeo is not on the same way asjohn bolton, is mr pompeo is not on the same way as john bolton, who is mr pompeo is not on the same way asjohn bolton, who wants to have a very strict imposition of demands on north korea, and pompeo was more diplomatic. the two do not see it it but they have to go along with the trump says, so having trump meeting has that advantage, though he can be

contradicted by those underneath him. so what should the us hopefully come away from the summit with? the best would be if north korea capitulated and agreed to get rid of its nuclear weapons immediately. that will not happen so what is the best likely outcome? they agree on the go of denuclearisation and they come to some agreement on what that means, that north korea would com pletely means, that north korea would completely denuclearise and set a deadline for it. it would not be tomorrow or next month but maybe in two years. they put in place processes towards that goal. that is the best that can be achieved, if they do meet in singapore. how likely do you think that is going to happen, when you look at the way mr trump has handled even weeks building up to this summit? it is on, then not on. how likely is it

that that would achieved?” on, then not on. how likely is it that that would achieved? i am going to say less than 50—50, maybe 25% possibility. that means either the summit will not happen or they will meet and they will not reach any agreement or what they agree to not be big. but there is this one possibility. that is partly because of the south korean president laying the groundwork. if all works out, he will be the one we can give credit to. you are part of this strategic study. what is mr kim's at the strategy here? he wants to be seen as an par with other powers. he wa nts to as an par with other powers. he wants to sit down as one nuclear armed state, negotiating arms with another nuclear arms state, and you will achieve that if the summit goes

through. the other side of the coin is that if the united states get swing at once, north korea will not be nuclear armed state for much longer. would kim ever agree to that? are there any benefit to the us can promise that would give them reason to give up his nuclear weapons? there is a lot of doubt about that. it all sounds like a deadlock yet again. maybe some progress, maybe north korea will agree to some steps that will reduce the danger, and the danger is reduced, if we're not about to go to war, if north korea stops launching missiles, that is at least a step forward. the headlines on bbc news: celebrations in dublin — now the focus shifts to the north and abortion laws that are far more restrictive than the rest of the uk. no end to the political deadlock on italy as the man designated as the country's prime minister gives up his bid

to form a government. the us sends a delegation to north korea aimed at reinstating a possible summit between the countries' leaders. sport now and, for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's adam. history has been made in rome today as chris froome has become the first british man to win cycling's giro d'italia. he also becomes the second man to complete the grant will hat—trick and four tour de france victories. he finished 46 seconds ahead of the dutch defending champion in the overall standings. but‘s number one johanna konta struggles at the french open continue with yet another

first—round exit. she lost in the first—round exit. she lost in the first round in straight sets, 6—4, 6-3. this first round in straight sets, 6—4, 6—3. this loss is herfourth successive first—round exit at roland garros. in formula i, successive first—round exit at roland garros. in formula 1, daniel riccardo in red bull led from start to finish to win his second race of the season. he led off the challenge from sebastian vettel for the remaining 59 laps as sebastian vettel finished second ahead of lewis hamilton in third. hamilton is now leading the championship by 13 points. today's results mean ricardo is in third, 38 points adrift. england's cricketers suffered an embarrassing defeat pakistan in the first test at lord's. but it proved in vain as england added just seven runs, leading pakistan chasing 64 to

win. victory was sealed 90 minutes into the day. england can only draw the series with one test remaining. it was very disappointing. we were outperformed in all three departments. i showed a bit of character in that second innings with the bat but you have to be better, they have been a number of colla pses better, they have been a number of collapses recently better, they have been a number of colla pses recently a nd better, they have been a number of collapses recently and we have to find a way as a group. that is a very individual thing ultimately out there together, being patient and then taking a pitch in it is we get them. the football and rotherham will play in next season's championship after victory in the league1 championship after victory in the league 1 play—off championship after victory in the league1 play—off final at championship after victory in the league 1 play—off final at wembley. it took extra time but they came through to beat shrewsbury 2—1. brother failed to take the lead early on after david ball was unable to convert from the penalty spot

eight minutes into the game. 20 minutes later richard wood made up for his mistake, heading home to put rather ahead. shrewsbury bounced back early in the second half though as alex rodman completed a wonderfully worked set piece. the rotherham captain stepped up again, putting his side ahead in the 12th minute of extra time, and that was enough to cement rather‘s place in the championship next season. as liverpool and the fans made their way home after last night's defeat in the champions league final against rome madrid, the goalkeeper made those two game changing errors and he has been speaking about his disappointment on social media. he said, i have not slept until now, this scenes are still running through my head again and again. i am really sorry to my team—mates, the fans and staff. i know that i messed this up with the two mistakes and let you down. another of the match‘s big talking points was

injury to liverpool's leading scorer. he has tweeted, suggesting he will be fit for the world cup. he says, despite the odds, i am confident that i will be in russia to make you a proud. you love and support will give me the strength i need. jurgen klopp meanwhile has been getting behind his goalkeeper. it is really hard. i really feel for him. nobody wants that. that is the situation. the mistakes for obvious. we do not have took about. it is a clear, he knows it, you will know it, he has to do with it, we have to deal with it, we will do that, and we will be with him, there is no doubt about that. and that is all your support for now but more for me throughout the evening. —— sport. two people have died afterfalling ill at a music festival in portsmouth. the organisers of the mutiny festival cancelled the final day of the event, saying they believed a "dangerous high—strength substance" had been

brought onto the site. our correspondent dominic casciani is there. last night the site was heaving and now you can see it is empty because of these terrible deaths last night. this afternoon, people know locally named the dead woman as 18—year—old georgia jones, and her mother has posted a message on facebook, paying tribute to her daughter saying, my little girl was full of life. ijust hope this stops at least someone else from ending up the same. festival organisers said they were devastated by what has happened and are cooperating with the police. they talked about this substance being on the site last night issued a warning while the festival was going on. we spoke today to some of the people who were here at behest festival and they told us that, while security was good, the sole job is getting in. i felt the

security was better than last year. there were dogs and we had to walk through them to get to the entrance and every single person was idd. through them to get to the entrance and every single person was iddw is standard to the festival, you get offered them. but you offered drugs yesterday? yes, quite a few times, inside. so the priority at the moment is for the police to try and work out whether this was definitely a drugs related incident affecting all 15 of those who were taken to hospital. one of the priorities for them is establishing whether there is bigger bat at a toxic substance is bigger bat at a toxic substance is now in circulation across this pa rt is now in circulation across this part of england and perhaps wide and beyond. as for the third person in hospital, no date there, they are still believed to be in a condition. flights at stansted airport have been disrupted following thunderstorms last night. a lightning strike disabled the aircraft fuelling system, leading to cancellations.

the storms and torrential rain swept across southern britain overnight with spectacular displays of lightning. so a warning — as you might expect there are flashing images in sarah corker‘s report. bolts of lightning turned the night sky purple over parts of england last night. my gosh! wow! it was the frequency of the strikes that made this so unusual. described as the mother of all thunderstorms by meteorologists. thousands of spectacular flashes were recorded over four hours and this was the dramatic view 39,000 feet up, captured from the cockpit of a plane above london. back on the ground, the storm caused major problems at stansted airport. a lightning strike damaged refuelling system, leaving planes grounded from more than three hours. other flights were cancelled altogether. i am really upset. my five—year—old has been up

since five o'clock and has been incredibly patient, more than me. and we have lots of bags to check—in and we just don't know what is going on. while the initial fault was fixed by around nine o'clock this morning, the backlog of planes needing to refuel has caused significant disruption to both inbound and outbound flights. weary and frustrated, some gave up and went home. elsewhere in essex, the roof of this house was destroyed when it was struck by lightning and engulfed by flames. in wales, it was flash flooding that was a problem, this is welshpool, homes and the town hospital under water. and there could be more thunderstorms in parts of wales and southern england over the weekend. the met office warns of possible power cuts and delays on the roads and railways. former us president george hw

bush has been taken to hospital. his family say the 93 year old had been experiencing low blood pressure and fatigue. he's expected to stay under observation for a few days, whilst being assessed by doctors. his wife and former first lady, barbara, passed away last month. london has introduced a contactless payment scheme for buskers in what the organisers claim is a world first. instead of handing over loose change, passers—by can use card readers to make contactless payments, as caroline davies explains. # you only need the light when it's burning low # only miss the sun when it starts to snow # only know you love her when you let her go # not your normal busking gig, waterloo station, packed out to hear chart—topping artist passenger. it blows my mind. you know, i used to busk on street corners to five people, if i was lucky.

yeah, i don't think i'll ever forget that. he wasn't the only one performing today. charlotte has been busking for six years. john, for two. it can be difficult, particularly when fewer people are carrying change. doing it for so many years, previously cash donations were so much more common. whereas, now, it is so much more common that people say i don't carry cash. but now there's a new way to pay buskers in london. contactless with a preset fee. will taking cash out become a thing of the past? currencies are becoming more digital. but experts say we need to be careful to make sure people aren't locked out of a cashless society. bank accounts need to be completely inclusive, that doesn't just mean that they're available to everyone, but it also means they are available to everyone in the way that is easy to view. people can manage their money in a way that's easy for them to understand

and have the confidence it's fully secure. # i don't need your coins, no # just need your ear # as more industries adapt to digital, going cashless is easier than ever. and means there's fewer excuses not to make a contribution. thank you so much, it was lovely singing for you. that lady that finished the report was called charlotte campbell and she popped into our studio earlier to tell us how she started playing and why she thinks the new technology will give busking in new lease of life. i started blogging as a means to an end. i was trying to promote and share my music but now i have realised it is an art, it is a wonderful way of sharing music and it isa wonderful way of sharing music and it is a surprise gig in the streets for people who were not expecting it. paying with your card, are you co mforta ble it. paying with your card, are you comfortable with that? you have

worked with this project, you are behind it. how do you feel about that, handing over the reader?” behind it. how do you feel about that, handing over the reader? i am so used to contact lists personally. we use contact us on the cheap, most coffee shops, i have been using co nta ctless coffee shops, i have been using contactless for personal use for a long time. so for me, when i see buskers, a hugely appreciate it as an art, and i don't even carry cash myself, and i went to be one of the buskers. give us 30 seconds, then you will hand over the reader to me, i will pretend to tap so i will feel how comfortable that is.” i will pretend to tap so i will feel how comfortable that is. i don't have my reader with me! let's start with some music. i wrote a little song about being a busker in london. there is music on the streets of london. there is music in my heart.

there is music on the streets of london. that is where we are. ok, so, iam london. that is where we are. ok, so, i am on the streets. i go into my purse. i rummage around for coins. what will you say to me? if you would like to play by card, it is setup the £1 donation, so you can just tap here, and if you like, i can name all your receipt. fantastic! have you been doing this already? i have, yeah. and what response of you had from people on the streets? i had been together a year. at the start, you would not believe the responses. i see people nudging each